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Mr Corbyn today said he alone would decide whether to allow his MPs a free vote on the air strikes decision as he attempted to stamp his authority.

He is yet to decide whether to whip MPs to follow his decision.

Government ministers have urged Labour MPs to back the motion to join other Western allies in air strikes against ISIS in Syria.

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Cameron faces a backlash from rebel Tories as well as Jeremy Corbyn’s loyal following

The vote authorising the country to go to war could go ahead as early as Wednesday, with bombing with RAF Typhoon jets set to begin just hours later.

Defence sources added a “dynamic targeting attack” against a target of opportunity, such as an ISIS leader, could also take place within a few hours.

Cameron has told RAF commanders to use precision strikes to target the head of the terrorist group’s “international attacks” unit, which masterminded the Paris massacre and is now targeting Britain.

Top British army officers have already held lengthy talks with their US counterparts on bombing the barbaric terrorists.

These discussions have highlighted Britain's unique Brimstone missile, which minimises civilian casualties, because it raises the prospect of targeting the ISIS leadership in Syria if intelligence locates them in built-up areas.

A Whitehall source said: “Brimstone is better than anything the Americans have. With Brimstone, 'decapitation' raids are more likely to be authorised. Our involvement will mean there is more chance of getting these guys.”

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The vote authorising the country to go to war could go ahead as early as Wednesday

Speaking at the Commonwealth heads of government meeting in Malta, Mr Cameron said: “There is a compelling case that taking military action alongside our allies can help to address the threat from ISIS.

"It has been working in Iraq, where we have shrunk the territory of ISIS, and it will work too in Syria.

“We have to start acting now to keep our country, our people and indeed others in Europe safe.”

Reinforcements of two Tornado bombers and six Typhoon jets are expected to be sent to Cyprus later this week, allowing the RAF to fly at least three missions a day.

Details of the parliamentary motion are to set to limit attacks to ISIS stronghold targets and rule out committing ground troops.

Mr Cameron has revealed this weekend there are 70,000 'moderate' Syrian opposition fighters prepared to seize ground now held by ISIS.

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Russia and France have already ramped up their air strikes in Syria

Conservative ministers, such as Defence Secretary Michael Fallon and Foreign Secretary Phillip Hammond, have been working around the clock to convince their Labour counterparts to back the Government.

David Cameron fears a "humiliating defeat" if the Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn orders his MPs to vote against air strikes.

In 2013, the coalition government was humbled by a defeat in motion which explored the possibility of airstrikes in Syria.

The vote comes as Mr Fallon warned of a serious terror threat to British Christmas shoppers.

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Government ministers have urged Labour MPs to back the motion to join other Western allies

He said a Paris-style attack could "easily" happen in London, Manchester or Glasgow and confirmed the UK was already an ISIS target - and bombing Syria would not change this.

Today Jeremy Corbyn said he was not sure whether to force Labour MPs to follow his decision against air strikes.

He said: "Obviously there are strong views on both directions. We will have a further discussion on this. We will make that decision not at this moment but later on."

But he added he was in charge, after questions about his ability to lead arose.

He said: "It is the leader who decides. I will make up my mind in due course."